The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster (2023) Brings Compelling Twist to ‘Frankenstein’
Title: The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster
First Non-Festival Release: June 9, 2023 (Limited Theatrical Release)
Director: Bomani J. Story
Writer: Bomani J. Story
Runtime: 91 Minutes
Starring: Laya DeLeon Hayes, Denzel Whitaker, Chad L. Coleman
Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here
Reeling from the loss of her brother, Chris (Edem Atsu-Swanzy), Vicaria (Laya DeLeon Hayes) becomes obsessed with the idea of ‘curing’ death. Brilliantly gifted and supported by her father (Chad L. Coleman), Vicaria spends her days toying around in an abandoned rental unit dressed up as a makeshift lab, perfecting her experiments. Between run ins with nasty teachers at her prep school, gang leaders in her neighborhood, and the whispered rumors of a body snatcher, Vicaria has a lot going on in her life. It gets more complicated when she finally gets the chance to realize her thesis and bring her brother back to life.
The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster is a stylish modern retelling of ‘Frankenstein’ that weaves a complicated story of love and loss.
Finding the cure for death is an ambitious goal but Vicaria isn’t an ordinary teenage girl. Part mad scientist and part bubbly neighborhood pride and joy, Vicaria projects warmth and affability to those she cares about but is equally adept at lacing her words with venom to those she hates. Her ability to navigate the social politics of her surroundings makes her a more formidable scientist. When her experiment goes out of control, however, Vicaria falters, showcasing a more vulnerable side as she is unable to contain the power and fury of her undead brother.
Grappling with the consequences of her creation, Vicaria contends with her decisions as both a scientist and a person. As a scientist, Vicaria hasn’t fully considered the consequences of bringing a person back to life, let alone someone who is stitched together from old body parts. Chris returns as the Creature, confused, frustrated, and with great strength. Vicaria’s inability to reign him in leads to the Creature going on a murder spree, offing both deserving and innocent people alike. Vicaria refuses help for the longest time and finds herself buried underneath the weight of her own lies and secrets. It’s because of her recklessness that people around her get hurt. Of course, there is ample merit to her concerted efforts to make the situation right. Her ambition comes from a pure place, even if her brilliance clouds her judgment along the way. It is because of writer/director Bomani J. Story’s effort to make her a three-dimensional character that makes Vicaria so compelling.
Drawing parallels to the original story, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster carves a new path forward by examining the way trauma shapes neighborhoods, and not just individuals. While Vicaria’s neighborhood feels like a community in the way the members interact, an undercurrent of tension showcases the volatility of their home. The overbearing presence of both the racially profiling police officers and the calculating drug dealers contributes to a feeling of dread long before the Creature comes to life. Much like the source material, the Creature lashes out in anger and confusion at a world he doesn’t fully understand and is not welcome in despite his creator’s intentions. It deviates, however, by showing that this intersection of science and horror can be done correctly. Vicaria uses the knowledge she gains from the experience to correct the mistakes she makes, ensuring that Chris’s death is not in vain.
Complemented by even more electrifying imagery, the artistic vision of The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster paints a more fantastic aesthetic to the dark tale. Set in a rather unassuming neighborhood, the story takes on a new life as the horrors of its present and history bubble up onscreen. Flashing police car lights, dilapidated vacant apartments, and a pop-up laboratory add depth to the disorienting and traumatic experiences of growing up in a turbulent neighborhood. Much like Vicaria’s flair for science juxtaposed against her working-class reality, the camera in The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster is a dynamic force that captures the beauty and chaos in the mundane.
Charming, suspenseful, and thoroughly engaging, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster is a stylish reimagination of one of the most important pieces of science fiction and horror literature. The thoughtful characterization of Vicaria’s journey as a mad scientist and the bold visual choices Story uses to accomplish his vision add dimension to the film. Showing the joy and horrors of living as a Black girl in America, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster finds balance in telling its important tale while giving Vicaria the space to mess up and grow as a person, as bright as her star shines. An impressive low budget feature, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster deserves a spot in your streaming queue, and thankfully it’s easy to find on Shudder for all horror enthusiasts to enjoy.
Overall Score? 7/10
